Rail passengers will be able to quickly transfer to trains going to downtown Hsinchu when they arrive at the high-speed rail station in Hsinchu when the Lioujia Branch Line (六家支線) opens on Friday.
The new line links Chubei Station on the Neiwan Branch Line (內灣支線) with Lioujia Station.
High-speed rail passengers can walk to Lioujia Station through a passageway between the two stations.
The Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) said passengers previously needed to take a 35-minute bus ride to get downtown after arriving at the high-speed rail station in Hsinchu.
Starting on Friday, they can take the trains operating on the Lioujia Branch Line instead, which takes only about 20 minutes, it said.
The agency said passengers would enjoy free train rides from Friday until Nov. 25.
The first train on the Lioujia Line will leave the TRA’s Hsinchu Station at 2:20pm.
The TRA will also start selling memorial ticket sets for the Lioujia Branch Line at 9am on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Neiwan Branch Line will also resume operations on the same day after being under renovation for almost five years.
To celebrate the reopening of the Neiwan Line, the TRA has arranged to have the DT668 Steam Train provide a pilot train service.
Those planning to board the steam train must get free tickets at Chuchung Station at 3pm. Only 280 tickets are available and each person is only allowed one, the TRA added.
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